NOTE: Kodi Nikorima looks like he's done enough to convince Wayne Bennett to keep him in the halves. Bennett has declared controversial prop Matt Lodge will start. Jack Bird looks likely to miss the first month of the season.

NOTE: Siliva Havilli will fight it out for the hooker spot with Craig Garvey, and we have him by a nose in front at the moment after he started in Canberra's opening trial. Sam Williams will contest the man who comes out second best in the hooker battle for a utility role.

NOTE: New coach Dean Pay said he will experiment with Moses Mbye at fullback. Will Hopoate moves to the centres, and for now we have NSW Cup star Josh Cleeland in the halves, but Matt Frawley is a chance of retaining his spot. Fa'amanu Brown could also contest for the six position, but he does have utility value off the bench. David Klemmer looks set to partner Kangaroos and NSW teammate Aaron Woods in the front-row, shifting Danny Fualolo into the 13. New signing Moses Suli could force his way into the backline if he undergoes an attitude change and trains the house down.

NOTE: Josh Dugan jumps into the centres for the departing Jack Bird, Cronulla under 20s star Sione Katoa is leading the race ahead of Aaron Gray to fill in for Gerard Beale and Matt Moylan takes James Maloney's place.

NOTE: The Titans have been boosted in the outside backs department with the arrival of Michael Gordon and Brenko Lee who fill in some gaping holes. Ryan James looks set to move to the second-row next season. Despite playing most of his career on the edge, Garth Brennan wants Bryce Cartwright to play at lock this season. Brenko Lee is on the wing for now, but when Anthony Don returns he may move to the centres, or Brendan Elliott may get the cut.

MORE: Blake Green's departure has opened up a window of opportunity for a host of youngsters to partner DCE, but Lachlan Croker appears to be the front runner after an impressive pre-season. Joel Thompson comes into the back-row, pushing Frank Winterstein to the bench. Dylan Walker is still overcoming a serious ankle break from the Prime Minister's XIII game last year. Darcy Lussick suffered a high-ankle sprain and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

NOTE: It's the first year the 'Big Three' won't suit up together. Some notable changes on the bench with recruits Sam Kasiano and Patrick Kaufusi adding size. Ryan Hoffman is in the lead to play on the edge over Kenny Bromwich.

NOTE: Sione Mata'utia is on track to fill Newcastle's centre hole, pushing back out wide after a concussion-filled stint in the back-row. Nathan Brown wants to alleviate his workload. Slade Griffin steals the number nine jersey after an impressive pre-season, with Brown opting to use Levi off the bench when fatigue begins to set in. Chris Heighington and Jacob Saifiti will fight it out for the final bench spot.

NOTE: Giant Jordan McLean is their only big-name recruit, uniting in a stacked front-row with Matt Scott who returns from injury. Ben Hampton looks to have the edge on Te Maire Martin at the utility spot. And of course, JT is back!

NOTE: No Semi Radradra, but Clint Gutherson adds fire to their backline. He won't be in the side until a few rounds into the season, gifting Bevan French a chance at the back. Jarryd Hayne pinches a centre spot, but where does that leave Brad Takairangi? The New Zealand international could go to the wing, but we are struggling to find a place for him with a bulky bench. We opted for Cameron King at hooker after he ended the season in top form, but Kaysa Pritchard will give him a run for his money and could even make his way onto the interchange.

NOTE: James Maloney swaps in for Matt Moylan in their biggest movement news. Corey Harawira-Naera has cemented himself into the second-row following Bryce Cartwright's departure. Viliame Kikau's World Cup campaign would have boosted his chances of returning to the NRL, while Sione Katoa is another chance for a bench spot against Moses Leota. Dean Whare will play on the wing in the early round until Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns. It means Tyrone Peachey will have to eventually give up his place in the starting side and play as a utility off the bench.

NOTE: Whispers keep growing that Greg Inglis will be shifting to the centres, opening the door for youngster Richie Kenner and Campbell Graham to slot into the wings. Dane Gagai takes the other centre spot after the Bunnies lost a heap of outside backs stock in Aaron Gray and Bryson Goodwin. Damien Cook retains the number nine jersey which will once again be closely contested with Robbie Farah. Sam Burgess pushes back into his favoured front-row spot, giving youngster Cameron Murray the chance to make the lock position his own.

NOTE: James Graham and Ben Hunt are the face of the Dragons' successful recruitment drive, stepping in for Josh Dugan and Russell Packer. Tariq Sims gets promoted following Joel Thompson's departure, while Jeremy Latimore and Luciano Leilua take up the remaining bench spots. Leilua was rewarded with a contract extension for a solid pre-season and is on track to return to the NRL. Jacob Host and Hame Sele are also chances off interchange roles.

NOTE: What a cracking spine! Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco add class to an already stacked side in the club's only two notable recruits. Trent Robinson's failed centre experiment with second-rowers Mitch Aubusson and Ryan Matterson will likely push them back into the forwards, meaning Blake Ferguson will take on more responsibility on the edge. We've handed Nat Butcher the utility role with the NSW Cup star having played at hooker in his younger days.

NOTE: Stephen Kearney has added a stack of Polynesian blood in Adam Blair, Tohu Harris, Agnatius Paasi and Leivaha Pulu. Unfortunately Gerard Beale will have to work his way into the side once he recovers from his broken leg, leaving Blake Ayshford in the centres. Blake Green partners Shaun Johnson in the halves, meaning Ata Hingano is out of a job. Bunty Afoa will contest for a spot on the bench, while James Gavet will push for a starting role.

NOTE: There are a stack of options in the outside backs department. Kevin Naiqama is more experienced for the centre role over Esan Marsters who could move back to the forwards. Taane Milne looks a better fit out wide than recruits Mahe Fonua, Corey Thompson and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak. Tui Lolohea pushes to fullback with Josh Reynolds' arrival, and Benji Marshall is another playmaking option off the bench. Tim Grant and Robbie Rochow have missed out but provide useful backup in the forwards.